Claire Young, 85, of Russellville departed this life Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, at the Russellville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Nov. 11, 1927, in Clarksdale, Miss., to Cecelia Gole’ and Hugh B. Jones. At an early age, the family moved to Memphis, Tenn., and later Paducah, Ken. She was a public school music teacher, church organist and symphony performer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sons, Charles “Bubba” Young and Dr. Mike Young.

Claire is survived by her husband, Harvey, of Russellville; two sons, Harvey Jr. of Little Rock and David of Russellville; four grandsons; one great-granddaughter; two sisters, Mrs. Don Langellier of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Mrs. Mary Beard of Martin, Tenn.

She spent a lifetime in the fields of music and education. At an early age, she began taking piano and violin lessons. While attending Paducah Tilghman High School, she was a member of the school glee club, orchestra, and played French horn in the marching band. She attended Peabody College at Vanderbilt University on a music scholarship where she participated in the glee club and the Madrigals, a select group of a cappella singers who made extensive concert appearances throughout the south.

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in music education, Claire taught music in the Norfolk, Va., public schools. She married husband, Harvey, and moved to Arkansas where she continued her music career. She served as church organist at Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock, First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado, Dardanelle Presbyterian Church, Wesley United Methodist Church and Central Presbyterian Church in Russellville.

Mrs. Young was also a member of the Irving, Texas Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony and for 40 years played the violin in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. She was honored to be selected to travel on a six week tour of Europe with the Community Symphony Orchestra, composed of players from across America.

In spite of being a teacher, wife and mother of four boys, she found time to earn her Masters’ Degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas. Her hobbies included playing bridge, reading, and working crossword puzzles. She enjoyed travel, especially to Europe and Asia.

She was a member of the Russellville First United Methodist Church, charter member of the Russellville Symphony Guild, Pope County Retired Teachers, SAI, an honorary music sorority, and Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary education sorority.

Funeral services will be held at Russellville First United Methodist Church at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, with private interment at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in El Dorado, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Russellville Symphony Guild, 126 Lakeview Drive, Russellville, AR 72802 or to the charity of your choice.

The online obituary and guest book are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.